Rothwell (Leeds) Crime Rate September 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Rothwell (Leeds) recorded a crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 residents in September 2024, 9.1% below the UK average of 7.7. This figure marks a notable achievement for a built-up area within a major urban centre, where crime rates typically align more closely with national averages. The most significant crime type by volume was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 44.3% of all reported incidents (66 cases), with a rate of 3.1 per 1,000—18% above the UK average. Public order offences (19 cases, 12.8%) followed, with a rate 61% higher than the UK average. This spike in public order incidents may be partially explained by the start of the academic year, as students returning to local universities could have contributed to increased disorder in communal spaces. Anti-social behaviour, while still a concern (13 cases), fell 53.6% compared to the previous month, suggesting a temporary reduction in disruptive activity. The seasonal context of September—back to school, university freshers, and shorter evenings—likely influenced these patterns, with youth-related incidents peaking during the early part of the month. The overall crime rate, however, remained lower than the UK average, indicating effective local policing or community initiatives that have helped mitigate typical urban crime pressures. Property crimes (41 total) accounted for 27.5% of all incidents, with burglary rates (9 cases) 29% above the UK average but showing a 52.6% decline from August. This reduction may reflect seasonal factors, as property crime often decreases during the autumn months when outdoor activity diminishes. The area's relatively low crime rate compared to national benchmarks suggests that Rothwell's built-up environment, while part of a larger city, has developed distinct characteristics that contribute to its safer profile—through targeted policing strategies or community cohesion efforts.

September saw a dramatic 300% increase in 'other crime', rising from 2 to 8 incidents. This category, which includes unclassified offences, spiked sharply despite overall crime rates declining. Concurrently, public order offences rose 171.4% (7 to 19), potentially linked to the return of students to local universities as freshers' week began. In contrast, anti-social behaviour fell 53.6% (28 to 13), a decline consistent with the earlier part of the month when schools and colleges were in session. Violence and sexual offences remained 18% above the UK average (3.1 vs 2.6 per 1,000), a persistent challenge in built-up areas with high population density. Burglary rates fell 52.6% (19 to 9), possibly reflecting increased community vigilance during the quieter September period. The 100% rise in robbery (0 to 2) was the only increase in violent crime, though still below the UK average for this category.

Rothwell's crime rate in September 2024 dropped 14.8% compared to the previous month, falling from 8.2 to 7.0 per 1,000 residents. This decline aligns with a broader seasonal pattern seen in similar urban areas, where crime rates often ease as summer transitions into autumn. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 5 incidents per day, a figure that reflects the area's compact built-up nature and limited spatial dispersion of criminal activity. Over the course of the month, 1 reported crime occurred for every 144 residents, a ratio that places Rothwell among the safer built-up areas within Leeds. This monthly exposure metric is particularly useful for residents assessing risk in relation to their daily routines, as it accounts for the entire population rather than isolated hotspots. The drop in overall crime rate contrasts with the UK average, which remains 9.1% higher, highlighting the area's relative success in maintaining public safety despite its proximity to a major city.